Genealogy Chat

I have just had a horrible thought. If, I have a virus in my computer, (which I have'nt now .thanks to your help on here) or anyone else on here has a virus on their computer, Can it infect GR ? Is it feaseable for GR to run another site with the above heading so users could report in any viruses as they are picked up , and the for 'Experts' to advise on their removal? In reality this would serve to monitor the spread, and possibly indicate a common source/site of infection. As I do not know the difference between an I Pod and a Pea Pod, I eagerly await the application of young brains to this posting, as I am a bit old in the tooth now. My genes are a bit frayed. This could be an opportunity for another Dot Com Trillionaire --it could be you. Maurice.

I think the GR site is too sophisticated for that Maurice, but certainly Ive received viruses that can only have come from some of the genealogy sites I have been on. It is a worry. Do you have a firewall with your antivirus? If not, zonealarm is free download.

Maurice, I don't think you need worry about the Genes Reunited Website. Lots of people blame their anti virus packages for failing to detect and remove viruses when 9 times out of ten the users were responsible for not pressing the update button on their anti virus programme. Or they go away on holiday and by the time they come back their anti virus software hasn't had a chance to update because the computer hasn't been switched on. Then they come home from holiday, turn on their computer and download their e-mails (which might contain viruses) before they have ensured that their anti virus programme (whatever make it is) has been updated with the latest virus detecting definitions! BINGO! They download their e-mails with out of date anti virus software! Next thing you know they have a virus infection. You can't just install anti virus software on your PC and think that is that! You have to ensure that your AV (Anti Virus Software) is set to download the updates automatically, or you locate the appropriate button on your software to press which updates your software manually. You also need to have a few anti spyware programmes on your PC for protection. However, be wary. There are a lot of bogus programmes on the internet which actually install Spyware on your PC. You should never visit porn sites - not that I'm worried about your morals, but they are prime locations for picking up trojans and viruses and spyware - the same goes for these websites where you download music for free - there's no such thing as a free lunch! Or there may be until you pick up something in addition to the latest hit!!! To be honest, I think most PC users should educate themselves more on how to up their PC security and protect themselves thoroughly rather than slagging off various anti virus programmes. Most times the software hasnt' been maintained properly but of course it is easier for the user to blame his tools! Some people will find Norton too complicated for them. It's not very user friendly in that way. A lot of people on here don't know the difference between spyware and viruses - they are two totally different things and you need to protect yourself from both of them. Anti virus will protect against viruses but there are lots of FREE programmes on the net to protect against spyware and adware. They are Microsoft Anti Spyware (only suitable for Windows XP) This will scan your PC for spyware Ad-aware this will scan your PC for adware and spyware Spybot Search and Destroy this will scan your PC for spyware A² removes trojans and spyware Spyware Blaster (this one actually stops spyware from installing in the first place) Like Anti Virus programmes, all the above programmes need to be manually updated with the latest definitions on a daily basis. Cheers, Horatia

Horatia has summed this up most eloquently I use Spywareblaster and Avast.! which catch most nasties as they happen Adaware and Spybot, which only work after the event are run at least every week Scheduled to run every night are Microsoft Antispyware and AVG Not a lot gets through this although I did get a nastie a few months ago after looking at an adult site...!.....shame.....! Adaware Away got rid of this nastie pronto....This is free for a couple of days then £20 or therabouts.

Speaking as one who was driven demented by a virus - I bought a new hard drive in the end - I now have absolutely EVERY program to detect/repel invaders. Only today, Norton flagged me to say it had detected and safely dealt with a virus. This site is almost the only site I visit on a regular basis, and it was ONLY this site where the virus attacked me. My security levels on my e-mail account are so high, that I cannot get emails from anyone who lives in EsSEX! I did have an extremely paranoid thought that someone on this site had infected me, but yes, probably just paranoia... Olde Crone

I do have a program called Spyhunter ? is that any good,I am running Windows XP Professional.and it seems to clear up any problems. Maurice

Olde Crone, Do you update your Windows Operating System from the Windows Update website? You can pick up viruses as soon as you enter the internet no matter which website you happen to be on. Imagine a load of pipes like sewers. Then imagine rats and bugs trying to climb up into your toilet bowl!!! The toilet bowl hasn't moved - it is still in your house but the rat CAN MOVE and make its way along the pipes and unless you patch Windows regularly, have properly updated AV, regularly updated anti spyware programmes, configure internet explorer properly to keep spyware from installing and stay away from dodgy websites then one or other will catch you out at some stage. Cheers, Horatia

Maurice, I have no experience with Spyware Hunter so can't comment on that one. Perhaps someone else may want to comment? Cheers, Horatia

I have Zonealarm, Microsofts antispyware, adaware and avg7. Trouble is, like Horatia says, if you have someone like a teenager in the house who then disables the firewall cos he cant download with it on ....................

Horatia, Now you have done it, my wife has told me to go round and put all the toilet lids down ! I imagine thousands of people are doing the same after reading your letter. Maurice

Maurice, LOL!!! (Tee-Hee) ;-) I don't like rats myself and although our pipes are modern and our toilet isn't broken or anything, I have often been known to close my toilet lid - especially at night!! I saw a programme on TV once which showed a rat climbing out of a toilet and I have never forgotten it!!!! (Tee-Hee)! Cheers, Horatia

I remember that one Horatia, for a long time I sat side-saddle!

Heather, Yes, for a long time afterward I could have broke the Guinness Book of Records World Record for extra fast use of the loo! My posterior was off that seat as soon as was decently and practically possible! (not a pretty sight)!!! ;-) ;-) Cheers, Horatia

The awful thing is, and remember we live in a semi rural area, a few years back, our old Jack Russell suddenly started taking a great interest in the bathroom. He would sit for literally hours, with his nose pressed to the edge of the wall and scrabble now and then. Eventually we took notice of him, to be honest we thought he was going a bit senile, hubby started taking up the floorboards and we found rats poo! Following from outside, husband climbed up and found a tiny gap round an outlet pipe which showed chew marks! The rat must have climbed up the ivy clad wall and found this tiny space and chewed until it got in and was then between the floor of the bathroom and ceiling of the garage. Yuck. Afraid we had to use a trap, which I felt guilty about but you cant really have an extra pet in the house! I think old JR was quite disappointed when it was caught!

My goodness, you lot, talk about spreading fear and despondency. I am supposed to be off to work now, but instead am going outside with a large set of clippers to strip all the ivy off the back wall under the bathroom window! Tina

hee hee Think what it must have been like for our poor ancestors then!

Nudge